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Parchmann N, Hansen D, Orzechowski M, Steger F. An ethical assessment of professional opinions on concerns, chances, and limitations of the implementation of an artificial intelligence-based technology into the geriatric patient treatment and continuity of care. GeroScience 2024:10.1007/s11357-024-01229-6. [PMID: 38834930 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01229-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
With the introduction of an artificial intelligence-based dashboard into the clinic, the project SURGE-Ahead responds to the importance of improving perioperative geriatric patient treatment and continuity of care. The use of artificial intelligence to process and analyze data automatically, aims at an evidence-based evaluation of the patient's health condition and recommending treatment options. However, its development and introduction raise ethical questions. To ascertain professional perspectives on the clinical use of the dashboard, we have conducted 19 semi-structured qualitative interviews with head physicians, computer scientists, jurists, and ethicists. The application of a qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis enabled the detection of main ethical concerns, chances, and limitations. These ethical considerations were categorized: changes of the patient-physician relationship and the current social reality are expected, causing de-skilling and an active participation of the artificial intelligence. The interviewees anticipated a redistribution of human resources, time, knowledge, and experiences as well as expenses and financing. Concerns of privacy, accuracy, transparency, and explainability were stated, and an insufficient data basis, an intensifying of existing inequalities and systematic discrimination considering a fair access emphasized. Concluding, the patient-physician relationship, social reality, redistribution of resources, fair access, as well as data-related aspects of the artificial intelligence-based system could conflict with the ethical principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and social justice. To respond to these ethical concerns, a responsible use of the dashboard and a critical verification of therapy suggestions is mandatory, and the application limited by questions at the end of life and taking life-changing decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Parchmann
- Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, Oberberghof 7, 89081, Ulm, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.
| | - David Hansen
- Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, Oberberghof 7, 89081, Ulm, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
| | - Marcin Orzechowski
- Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, Oberberghof 7, 89081, Ulm, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
| | - Florian Steger
- Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, Oberberghof 7, 89081, Ulm, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
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Savioli G, Gri N, Ceresa IF, Piccioni A, Zanza C, Longhitano Y, Ricevuti G, Daccò M, Esposito C, Candura SM. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: From Occupational Health to Emergency Medicine. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2466. [PMID: 38730995 PMCID: PMC11084260 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Carbon monoxide poisoning remains a leading cause of accidental poisoning worldwide (both at home and at work), and it is also a cause of suicidal poisoning. Such poisoning can arise following prolonged exposure to low levels of CO or following brief exposure to high concentrations of the gas. In fact, despite exposure limits, high safety standards, and the availability of CO alarms, nearly 50,000 people in the United States visit the emergency department each year due to poisoning. Additionally, CO poisoning in the United States causes up to 500 deaths each year. Despite the widespread nature of this form of poisoning, known about for centuries and whose damage mechanisms have been recognized (or rather hypothesized about) since the 1800s, early recognition, especially of late complications, and treatment remain a medical challenge. A well-designed therapeutic diagnostic process is necessary so that indication for hyperbaric or normobaric therapy is correctly made and so that patients are followed up even after acute exposure to diagnose late complications early. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider that in the setting of emergency medicine, CO poisoning can be part of a differential diagnosis along with other more frequent conditions, making its recognition difficult. The last thirty years have been marked by a significant increase in knowledge regarding the toxicity of CO, as well as its functioning and its importance at physiological concentrations in mammalian systems. This review, taking into account the significant progress made in recent years, aims to reconsider the pathogenicity of CO, which is not trivially just poisonous to tissues. A revision of the paradigm, especially as regards treatment and sequelae, appears necessary, and new studies should focus on this new point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Savioli
- Emergency Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Nicole Gri
- Niguarda Cancer Center, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza dell’Ospedale Maggiore, 3, 20162 Milano, Italy;
| | - Iride Francesca Ceresa
- Emergency Department and Internal Medicine, Istituti Clinici di Pavia e Vigevano—Gruppo San Donato, 27029 Vigevano, Italy;
| | - Andrea Piccioni
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Polyclinic Agostino Gemelli/IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Christian Zanza
- Geriatric Medicine Residency Program, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Yaroslava Longhitano
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA;
- Department of Emergency Medicine—Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Humanitas University—Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ricevuti
- Emergency Medicine, School of Pharmacy, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Daccò
- ATS Pavia, Continuità Assistenziale, Via Teodoro Lovati, 45, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Ciro Esposito
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, ICS Maugeri, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Stefano M. Candura
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Bonfichi A, Ceresa IF, Piccioni A, Zanza C, Longhitano Y, Boudi Z, Esposito C, Savioli G. A Lethal Combination of Delirium and Overcrowding in the Emergency Department. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6587. [PMID: 37892725 PMCID: PMC10607343 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Delirium is a common public health concern that significantly impacts older patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED). This condition is linked to adverse outcomes such as reduced long-term functionality, higher mortality rates, extended hospital stays, and increased medical costs. The identification of risk factors is crucial for the early recognition and management of delirium in ED patients. Aging, cognitive decline, polypharmacy, and sensory impairment are some of the most common general risk factors described in the literature. Although validated delirium assessment tools already exist, they are not practical for the fast-paced ED environment because of their extended evaluation period or specialized training request. Moreover, clear guidance is needed to select the most suitable tool for detecting delirium, balancing between the accuracy and the swiftness required in an overcrowded, high-stress, and understaffed healthcare setting. This narrative review aims to analyze the updated literature on delirium risk factors in older ED patients and focuses on the methods for better screening, managing, and treating this condition in the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Bonfichi
- Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Iride Francesca Ceresa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Humanitas University-Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (I.F.C.); (Y.L.)
| | - Andrea Piccioni
- Department of Emergency, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | - Christian Zanza
- Italian Society of Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (SIS-118), 74121 Taranto, Italy;
| | - Yaroslava Longhitano
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Humanitas University-Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (I.F.C.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Zoubir Boudi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Dr Sulaiman Alhabib Hospital, Dubai 2542, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Ciro Esposito
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, ICS Maugeri, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Savioli
- Emergency Medicine and Surgery, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Savioli G, Ceresa IF, Bressan MA, Piccini GB, Varesi A, Novelli V, Muzzi A, Cutti S, Ricevuti G, Esposito C, Voza A, Desai A, Longhitano Y, Saviano A, Piccioni A, Piccolella F, Bellou A, Zanza C, Oddone E. Five Level Triage vs. Four Level Triage in a Quaternary Emergency Department: National Analysis on Waiting Time, Validity, and Crowding-The CREONTE (Crowding and RE-Organization National TriagE) Study Group. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59040781. [PMID: 37109739 PMCID: PMC10143416 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59040781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Triage systems help provide the right care at the right time for patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs). Triage systems are generally used to subdivide patients into three to five categories according to the system used, and their performance must be carefully monitored to ensure the best care for patients. Materials and Methods: We examined ED accesses in the context of 4-level (4LT) and 5-level triage systems (5LT), implemented from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020. This study assessed the effects of a 5LT on wait times and under-triage (UT) and over-triage (OT). We also examined how 5LT and 4LT systems reflected actual patient acuity by correlating triage codes with severity codes at discharge. Other outcomes included the impact of crowding indices and 5LT system function during the COVID-19 pandemic in the study populations. Results: We evaluated 423,257 ED presentations. Visits to the ED by more fragile and seriously ill individuals increased, with a progressive increase in crowding. The length of stay (LOS), exit block, boarding, and processing times increased, reflecting a net raise in throughput and output factors, with a consequent lengthening of wait times. The decreased UT trend was observed after implementing the 5LT system. Conversely, a slight rise in OT was reported, although this did not affect the medium-high-intensity care area. Conclusions: Introducing a 5LT improved ED performance and patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Savioli
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Surgery, IRCCS Fondanzione Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Maria Antonietta Bressan
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Surgery, IRCCS Fondanzione Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Angelica Varesi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Viola Novelli
- Health Department, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alba Muzzi
- Health Department, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Sara Cutti
- Health Department, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Ciro Esposito
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, ICS Maugeri, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Voza
- Emergency Department, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Desai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Yaroslava Longhitano
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine-AON Antonio, Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15100 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Angela Saviano
- Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Piccioni
- Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Fabio Piccolella
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine-AON Antonio, Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15100 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Abdel Bellou
- Institute of Sciences in Emergency Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Christian Zanza
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine-AON Antonio, Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15100 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Enrico Oddone
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Yamaguchi J, Kinoshita K. The threat of a new tetanus outbreak due to urban flooding disaster requires vigilance: a narrative review. Acute Med Surg 2023; 10:e839. [PMID: 37077453 PMCID: PMC10106935 DOI: 10.1002/ams2.839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines for tetanus prevention have rapidly progressed, and the number of outbreaks, especially the incidence of tetanus in developed countries, has decreased dramatically. However, the mortality rate associated with severe tetanus remains high. Tetanus eradication is difficult owing to the widespread presence of the spores of tetanus bacteria in the environment, but tetanus can be prevented by acquired immunity from vaccines. Older people, intravenous drug users, and migrants are at a high risk of tetanus in developed countries owing to the lack of booster vaccination programs. Natural disasters, especially floods, often cause an increase in the prevalence of tetanus because of the associated injuries. Precautions should be taken to combat the threat of a new tetanus outbreak due to floods in urban areas owing to global warming. In particular, Japan is facing a high risk of urban flooding-induced tetanus, despite its status as a developed country. This review aims to highlight the data on the epidemiology, causes, treatment, and prevention of tetanus and problems associated with tetanus countermeasures during future floods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Yamaguchi
- Division of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Acute MedicineNihon University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Kosaku Kinoshita
- Division of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Acute MedicineNihon University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
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Savioli G, Zanza C, Longhitano Y, Nardone A, Varesi A, Ceresa IF, Manetti AC, Volonnino G, Maiese A, La Russa R. Heat-Related Illness in Emergency and Critical Care: Recommendations for Recognition and Management with Medico-Legal Considerations. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102542. [PMID: 36289804 PMCID: PMC9599879 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperthermia is an internal body temperature increase above 40.5 °C; normally internal body temperature is kept constant through natural homeostatic mechanisms. Heat-related illnesses occur due to exposure to high environmental temperatures in conditions in which an organism is unable to maintain adequate homeostasis. This can happen, for example, when the organism is unable to dissipate heat adequately. Heat dissipation occurs through evaporation, conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat disease exhibits a continuum of signs and symptoms ranging from minor to major clinical pictures. Minor clinical pictures include cramps, syncope, edema, tetany, and exhaustion. Major clinical pictures include heatstroke and life-threatening heat stroke and typically are expressed in the presence of an extremely high body temperature. There are also some categories of people at greater risk of developing these diseases, due to exposure in particular geographic areas (e.g., hot humid environments), to unchangeable predisposing conditions (e.g., advanced age, young age (i.e., children), diabetes, skin disease with reduced sweating), to modifiable risk factors (e.g., alcoholism, excessive exercise, infections), to partially modifiable risk factors (obesity), to certain types of professional activity (e.g., athletes, military personnel, and outdoor laborers) or to the effects of drug treatment (e.g., beta-blockers, anticholinergics, diuretics). Heat-related illness is largely preventable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Savioli
- Emergency Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Doctoral Program Experimental Medicine, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Christian Zanza
- Foundation “Ospedale Alba-Bra”, Department of Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Michele and Pietro Ferrero Hospital, 12060 Verduno, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Yaroslava Longhitano
- Foundation “Ospedale Alba-Bra”, Department of Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Michele and Pietro Ferrero Hospital, 12060 Verduno, Italy
| | - Alba Nardone
- Department of Internal Medicine, Università degli Studi of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Angelica Varesi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Università degli Studi of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Alice Chiara Manetti
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gianpietro Volonnino
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Aniello Maiese
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele La Russa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
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Savioli G, Ceresa IF, Gri N, Bavestrello Piccini G, Longhitano Y, Zanza C, Piccioni A, Esposito C, Ricevuti G, Bressan MA. Emergency Department Overcrowding: Understanding the Factors to Find Corresponding Solutions. J Pers Med 2022; 12:279. [PMID: 35207769 PMCID: PMC8877301 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It is certain and established that overcrowding represents one of the main problems that has been affecting global health and the functioning of the healthcare system in the last decades, and this is especially true for the emergency department (ED). Since 1980, overcrowding has been identified as one of the main factors limiting correct, timely, and efficient hospital care. The more recent COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the accentuation of this phenomenon, which was already well known and of international interest. Considering what would appear to be a trivial definition of overcrowding, it may seem simple for the reader to hypothesize solutions for what seems to be one of the most avoidable problems affecting the hospital system. However, proposing solutions to overcrowding, as well as their implementation, cannot be separated from a correct and precise definition of the issue, which must consider the main causes and aggravating factors. In light of the need of finding solutions that can put an end to hospital overcrowding, this review aims, through a review of the literature, to summarize the triggering factors, as well as the possible solutions that can be proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Savioli
- Emergency Medicine and Surgery, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (G.S.); (M.A.B.)
- PhD School in Experimental Medicine, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Nicole Gri
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (N.G.); (G.B.P.)
| | - Gaia Bavestrello Piccini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (N.G.); (G.B.P.)
- School of Master in Emergency Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yaroslava Longhitano
- Foundation “Ospedale Alba-Bra Onlus”, Department of Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Michele and Pietro Ferrero Hospital, 12060 Verduno, Italy;
- Research Training Innovation Infrastructure, Research and Innovation Department, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Christian Zanza
- Foundation “Ospedale Alba-Bra Onlus”, Department of Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Michele and Pietro Ferrero Hospital, 12060 Verduno, Italy;
- Research Training Innovation Infrastructure, Research and Innovation Department, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Andrea Piccioni
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Ciro Esposito
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, ICS Maugeri, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Ricevuti
- School of Pharmacy, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Maria Antonietta Bressan
- Emergency Medicine and Surgery, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (G.S.); (M.A.B.)
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